Meta: A 2026 plain-language guide to free and low-cost civil legal aid for Cary, NC residents — including verified organizations, services offered, eligibility basics, and how to prepare before applying. Not legal advice.
Legal Aid in Cary, NC: Where to Get Help If You Can’t Afford a Lawyer
If you live in Cary and cannot afford a private attorney, several Wake County and statewide organizations offer free or low-cost civil legal help. These providers assist with eviction defense, landlord–tenant disputes, domestic violence, family law issues, debt and consumer problems, elder law, disability benefits, and public-benefits appeals. Even if full representation is unavailable, many programs still offer legal clinics, workshops, and self-help tools. (You may also upload documents to the LegalClarity tool for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving Cary
Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) — Raleigh Office (serves Cary)
What they do: Offers free civil legal services for low-income Wake County residents, including Cary. Areas of help include eviction defense, unsafe housing, domestic violence protective orders, custody and child support issues, consumer and debt problems, unemployment and benefits appeals, disability rights, and limited immigration-related civil matters.
Contact: Phone: (866) 219-5262. Website: legalaidnc.org
Wake County Family Justice Center
What they do: Serves all Wake County residents — including those in Cary — who are experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Provides legal advocacy, safety planning, protective-order assistance, court accompaniment, and crisis support.
Contact: 24/7 hotline: (919) 828-7740. Website: wakegov.com
Campbell University Law Clinics (Downtown Raleigh Campus)
What they do: Offers free or low-cost legal services through supervised law-student clinics. Practice areas vary but typically include family law, domestic violence advocacy, housing issues, and expunction assistance.
Contact: Phone: (919) 865-4675. Website: law.campbell.edu
North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV)
What they do: Offers statewide legal advocacy, safety planning, and trauma-informed support for survivors of domestic violence.
Contact: Phone: (919) 956-9124. Website: nccadv.org
North Carolina Courts — Self-Help Center
What they do: Provides free court forms and instructional materials for people representing themselves in family law, housing, protective orders, small claims, and more. No legal advice.
Website: nccourts.gov/help
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered in Cary
- Eviction defense and landlord–tenant disputes
- Unsafe or uninhabitable housing conditions
- Domestic violence protective orders and crisis advocacy
- Family law: custody, visitation, child support
- Debt collection, wage garnishment, and consumer fraud
- Public-benefits denials (Food & Nutrition, Medicaid, SSI/SSDI)
- Unemployment insurance appeals
- Immigration-related civil matters (non-deportation)
- Elder-law issues including exploitation or eviction
- Record expunction assistance (varies by provider)
What Cary Legal Aid Usually Cannot Handle
- Criminal defense cases
- Personal injury or malpractice claims
- Business or commercial disputes
- Immigration deportation/removal defense
- High-asset or complex family-law matters
When Cary Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice or court summons: Eviction timelines in Wake County move quickly — contact LANC promptly.
- You experience domestic or sexual violence: Call the Family Justice Center hotline right away for assistance.
- You receive debt-collection or garnishment paperwork: Deadlines are strict — save all documents.
- Your benefits are denied or reduced: You may need to file an appeal quickly.
- Your home is unsafe or your landlord refuses repairs: Document all issues with photos and written requests.
- Seniors facing eviction or financial abuse: Specialized legal-aid resources may be available.
How to Prepare Before Contacting Legal Aid
- Gather key documents: leases, eviction notices, repair logs, photos of unsafe housing, debt letters, benefit denials, ID, pay stubs, and court paperwork.
- Create a simple timeline: include dates of notices, payments, repairs, and incidents.
- Prepare financial information: income, household size, benefits, and expenses (eligibility requirement).
- Write a short summary: 2–3 sentences explaining your issue.
- Highlight urgent factors: homelessness risk, domestic violence, disability, children involved, or upcoming hearings.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- Wake County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: affordable consultations with private attorneys.
- NC Courts Self-Help Center: free forms and step-by-step procedural help.
- Campbell Law Clinics: periodic pro bono clinics offering limited-scope services.
- LegalClarity document upload tool: plain-English explanations of legal documents (informational only).
Conclusion: Where Cary Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in Cary and cannot afford a lawyer, start by contacting Legal Aid of North Carolina at (866) 219-5262. For domestic violence emergencies, reach out to the Wake County Family Justice Center. If you do not qualify for free services, try the Bar Association referral program or upload your documents to LegalClarity for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.